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The Cost of an ADHD Assessment in the UK
If you go through the NHS method, your evaluation and treatment will be covered by the national health care system. The NHS is known for its lengthy waiting times.
In England there is also the option to have your ADHD evaluation privately funded via the "Right to choose" option. The services you select must be relevant to your clinical needs and should not cost more than NHS services.
1. In-person assessment
During the assessment you will be paired with a seasoned psychiatrist to understand your thoughts, presentations and experiences. You will be asked questions about your family history and any mental health issues you may have encountered in the past. The psychiatrist will gather information from a variety of sources including symptom checklists, behaviour rating scales and speaking to you, your family or close friends, about how ADHD symptoms affect you in different situations.
Based on your doctor's opinion, it could be important to determine if your symptoms can be better explained by psychiatric or medical disorders that mimic or coexist alongside ADHD. Anxiety disorders, like may present with symptoms similar to ADHD and have the same effect on relationships and work. It is therefore important to rule out other disorders that may cause symptoms of ADHD before beginning to consider treatment options or medications for the disorder.
The NHS Route
If you decide to take the NHS option, the first step is to visit your GP and discuss the reasons you believe you may be suffering from ADHD. Your GP should take this seriously and refer you for an assessment. However waiting times for NHS assessments can be long. If you're not able to wait, you may choose the private route which is more expensive but provides shorter wait times.
During your appointment, you will be asked a few questions and will be administered the QbTest which is a computer-based test which measures the core ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, activity and attention. You should familiarise yourselves with the symptoms of ADHD so you can describe how you experience these traits in your daily life. The psychiatrist will then assess your answers and discuss the next steps should be, including if you would like to consider pursuing treatment options.
2. Online assessment
Online assessments can be an efficient alternative to waiting for a NHS appointment. However, it can be more expensive. The cost of an online assessment for ADHD patients can vary from PS240 to PS2500. This includes the assessment, a complete diagnosis report, and the cost of medication.
In the UK, adults or children can obtain ADHD assessments through the NHS with a referral from their GP. However, a BBC investigation has revealed long waits to see an expert. One woman in Sheffield for instance has waited for two years for a specialist. Suicidal tendencies are among her symptoms, and could be a sign that she may not be diagnosed with ADHD.
According to NHS guidelines, a patient who suffers from ADHD should be assessed by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse (NICE guidelines). During the assessment the psychiatrist will examine and interview the person through questionnaires and observation of their behavior. The psychiatrist will assess the severity of ADHD and the impact it has on daily living.
People suffering from ADHD tend to manage their symptoms through strategies like diaries calendars and post-it notepads. These strategies are not always effective. They could cause more stress and confusion, especially for those who are already suffering from mental health conditions. The evaluation will include a physical exam and a review medical history.
Right to Choose is a scheme offered by the NHS that lets you choose the location to which you're assessed. Anyone who has a GP office in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland can take advantage of this scheme. You can request a private service that is affiliated with NHS provide an ADHD assessment. If the service is accredited by NHS and doesn't charge higher than NHS or NHS, you can ask to be referred.
3. Diagnosis
A psychiatrist or specialist nurse typically conducts an ADHD assessment, using the criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). For adults, this involves the assessment of comorbid disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
During your appointment, you'll discuss with the doctor your current symptoms as well as any family history. You'll be asked to complete questionnaires or rating systems. During this process the expert will note your behaviour and how it affects others like your spouse or your children.
The specialist will take all of the information into account to determine whether you meet the requirements for ADHD and its subtypes. The specialist will discuss their findings and will discuss with you the best course of action.
If the psychiatrist recommends a medication you will be given an order to take it to any pharmacy you like. The prescription fees cover the administration process and do not include the cost of the medications themselves, which you will need to pay separately. If you require an titration of your medication, further appointments may be required until you're stable on the medication.
After you've received your diagnosis It's crucial to communicate the results with your GP and anyone else who needs to be aware, like your employer or school. Our specialists can also provide recommendations for educational accommodations for students, such as additional time for exams or shorter deadlines.
Certain people may have difficulty obtaining an ADHD diagnosis, particularly in cases where their GP doesn't believe they exhibit the symptoms. If this is you, you may want to go through our article on Getting an ADHD Assessment for tips and guidance on how to have your GP recommend to you.
4. Medication
There are many medicines that are approved to be used in the UK to treat ADHD. These are typically stimulants, including the well-known methylphenidate drug (Ritalin) and the more recent amphetamine-based medicine Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). It is common to recommend that patients begin with a small amount of medication, and then gradually increased over a period of appointments until the patient reaches an acceptable dosage. This is usually accompanied by regular sessions with psychiatrists to discuss any side effects, and monitor progress.
Medications can help to alleviate the many symptoms caused by ADHD and reduce the burden that they place on families, individuals and workplaces. They function by increasing neurotransmitters that allow brain cells to communicate. But, the best medication is a matter of individual preference and determining it could take time. Once a person has been prescribed the right medication, it is essential that they remain with the treatment regimen. If you continue to skip appointments or stop taking your medication, symptoms could be recurrent and the medication may not work as effectively.
A specialist psychiatrist will not prescribe medication during the assessment session However, they will be able to refer you to a specialist nurse who will discuss your options for medication and prescribe if necessary. This may require additional titration sessions to determine the right dosage, and regular checks to ensure that your medication is working. In assessment for adhd will find that the NHS will not cover your prescription and so this would incur an additional cost from your pharmacy.
Private clinics can also charge for follow-up consultations. This includes writing and sending recommendations to employers or schools, if needed. It can include advice and direction on medication or medical questions between appointments via telephone calls or email (limited to 20 minutes). However, the cost of the titration process and follow-up appointments are not included in the initial ADHD assessment appointment.
5. Follow-up
The NHS has long struggled to meet demand for adult ADHD tests for adults with ADHD. This has meant that many areas are experiencing waiting times that can be as long as eight years, as per BBC research conducted using Freedom of Information requests sent to NHS trusts.
The assessment process is lengthy but is necessary to get a thorough diagnosis. The psychiatrist who conducts the assessment will speak to you about your medical history and lifestyle and also the symptoms that you are experiencing and the impact they have on your daily life. You might also be asked complete questionnaires or fill out rating scales that will help the specialist determine the severity of your illness.
Following the clinical interview after the clinical interview, you will receive an evaluation from your doctor that will include the diagnosis of ADHD and suggestions for treatment and ongoing support. They will also inform you whether ADHD is a factor in any health issues or concerns you might have.
There are many different kinds of ADHD, and each presents differently for each person. It's important that you tell your specialist the symptoms you're experiencing so that they can determine the type of ADHD. This is why a thorough ADHD assessment is so important and will provide you with the best chance of finding the appropriate treatment for your specific symptoms.
Private healthcare providers are an alternative to the NHS for those who wish to avoid waiting and want to speed up their ADHD evaluation. Individuals can make a self-referral directly to an independent mental health practitioner which can give quicker access to specialists with expertise in adult ADHD. The process usually starts with a first consultation with a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist experienced in adult ADHD assessments.